Night-latch.



H. G. COLLINS.

NIGHT LATCH.

APPLICATION FILED 1mm. 1913.

Patented Dec. 5, 1916.

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BY; a My H. e. COLLINS. NIGHT LATCH.

. APPLICATION FILED IAN.21. 1913.

1,206,814. Patented Dec. 5,1916.

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HERBERT G. COLLINS, OF NE'W HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO SARGENT & COMPANY, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

N IGI-IT-LATCH.

Application filed January 27, 1913.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERBERT G. COLLINS, a citizen of the United States, residing in New Haven, county of New Haven, and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Night-Latches, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to night latches, and more particularly to night latches in which the latch bolt may be projected and deadlocked beyond the ordinary latching position in order to act as a dead bolt.

One of the primary objects of the invention is to provide a very simple form of lock or latch wherein the spring or springs of the latch bolt tend to hold the latter projected outward beyond the normal latching position but are opposed by means which over comes the action of said spring or springs to a certain extent and holds the bolt in latching position under ordinary circumstances. However, this last named means is operable manually so that the latch bolt spring or springs may be permitted to throw the bolt outward to the fully projected position, and said means is also operable to withdraw the latch bolt to. fully retracted position.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a latch in which a. latch bolt manipulating hub is provided with a single wing which will not only retract the bolt from its fully projected position to the latch: ing position but will, on further movement, withdraw said bolt from latching position to its fully retracted position.

It is also intended to provide a lock or latch in which a retracting member for the latch bolt, such as a hub, may also act as a detent member for the latch bolt, to holdthe latter in fully retracted position; to provide a hub or like member which will either project the latch bolt beyond the normal latching position or will hold it in fully retracted position; to provide a lock or latch having a single hub or like member for moving the latch bolt outward, deadlocking it in fully projected position, retracting it to fully retracted position, and holding it in the fully retracted position; and to improve the general and detail features of construction and operation in devices of the class to which my invention relates.

To these and other ends, the invention con- 25 .sists in the novel features and combinations Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 5, 1916. Serial No. 744,500.

of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1' is a front elevation of a night latch constructed in accordance with my invention, the latch bolt being in the latching position, Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of Fig. 1 with the rear plate omitted, Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the latch bolt fully retracted, Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the latch bolt fully projected, Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the latch 'bolt heldin fully retracted position by the same device which retracts it, Fig. 5 is a reverse inverted view of parts shown in Fig. 5, Fig. 6 is a section on line 66 of Fig. 2, Fig. 7 is a section on line 77 of Fig. 4, Fig. 8 is a section on line 88 of Fig. 4, and Figs. 9 and 10 are detail views of the hub for controlling and operat ing the latch bolt.

Referring to the drawings, it will be noted that I have shown my improvements applied to the ordinary rim type of night latch, but it is to be understood that various features of my invention are applicable to looks or latches of other types.

In the embodiment illustrated, the ordinary rim case 20 contains a latch bolt 21 having rearwardly directed shanks 22 guided in a plate 23. Springs 24 embracing the respective shanks 22 and interposed between the plate 23 and the head of the bolt, tend to move the latter into the position shown in Fig. 4. In this position the bolt is projected outward to a certain distance beyond the usual latching position. The action of the springs 24 in this respect is counteracted to a certain extent, however, by means of a spring controlled hub 25. This hub 25, which is operable by a knob 26 or other member rotatable in the front wall of the case, is provided with a wing 27 against which the head 28 on one of the latch bolt shanks 22 is held by the springs 24. When the bolt is in the customary latching position, as shown in Fig. 2, the springs 24, acting through the engagement of the head 28 with the wing 27 tend to rotate the hub 25 in a clockwise direction, but this action of the springs 24 is resisted by a strong flat spring 29 directed lengthwise of the case and acting as a stop for the hub 25 to pre venta full protraction of the bolt. The hub 25 cooperates with the controlling spring 29 by'means of an extra or additional .wing

30 on said hub which is provided with a radial lug 31 adapted to engage at its outer edge with the flat surface of the spring 29. The latter extends approximately at a tangent to the hub and is located at such a dis tance from the center of the latter that in the normal position of the spring 29 the lug 31 will be blocked, as shown in Fig. 2, in just that position which corresponds to the usual latching position of the bolt. However, as the knob 26 is rotated by hand the blocking effect of the spring 29 may be overcome, for when the knob is turned with suflicient force in a clockwise direction (Fig. 2) the lug 31 will push the spring 29 out of its path and the hub will thereby be permitted to move into the position shown in Fig. 4-.

At one side of the so-called 'eXtra or additional wing 30 of the hub, said Wing is provided with a nose 32 projecting toward the retracting wing 27. The nose 32 and wing 27 are spaced apart and receive between them the cross-head 28 on one of the latch bolt shanks so that said nose and wing may act on opposite faces respectively of said cross-head. The nose 32 and wing 27 are offset from each other, however, as shown in Fig. 10, so that the wing 27 acts on the cross-head where it is of full width, whereas the nose 32 acts on the crosshead adjacent a notch 28 at one side of the latter, as shown in Fig. 8.

The operation of the improved device is substantially as follows: The normal latching position is clearly shown in Fig. 2. When the door (to which the latch is applied) is closed, the latch bolt moves inward in the usual manner. The portion of the cross-head 28 which is adjacent the notch 28 engages the nose 32 and turns the hub 25in an anti-clockwise direction. As the bolt shoots out into the keeper, the opposite face of the cross-head 28 in engaging the wing 27, returns the hub to the normal position shown in Fig. 2. The movement of the bolt to its fully projected position will be prevented by the engagement of the lug 31 with the spring 29' as previously described. The spring 29 should be quite stiff so that it will not be moved by the lug 31 when the latter hitssaid spring under the full force of the springs 24. When the bolt is to be retracted by hand, the knob 26 is turned in an anti-clockwise direction with respect to Fig. 2 whereby the retracting wing 27 will move the cross-head 28 rearwardly and thereby retract the bolt in an obvious manner (Fig. 3). When the bolt is to be held in the fully retracted position, it is held inward by pressure of the thumb or finger on the head thereof, and while so held, the hub 25 is moved in a clockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig. 5. This causes the outer edge 32 of the nose 32 to pass upwardly in the notch 28 and block the'cross-head from the front, as shown in Fig. 5. hen the knob is released the bolt will be held firmly in this retracted position as the cross-head 28 engages the outer or rear edge of the nose 32 and as the tendency'of the springs 24: is to pull the hub 25 into the most effective locking engagement with the cross-head.

Assuming that the parts are in the position shown in Fig; 2 and it is desired'to use the bolt 21 as a dead bolt, the knob 26 will be rotated in a clockwise direction with sufficient force to overcome the action of the stop spring 29. This will permit the springs 24- of the bolt to move the latter outward into the fully projected position shown in Fig. 4. If there is any tendency for the bolt to stick or bind the nose 32 will engage the rear face of the cross-head 28 and thereby positively push the bolt home. As the hub is movedinto the position shown in Fig. 4, the nose 32 after pushing the head 28 to the limit of its forward movement, will enter the notch 28 in said head 28, and the outer edge 32 of said nose 32 will be so located with respect to said head as to dead In order to retract the bolt from the fully projected deadlocked position it is merely necessary to turn the hub 25 in an anticlockwise direction with respect to Fig. 2 with sufficient force to move the stop or blocking spring 29 out of the way. At approximately the moment that the lug 31 moves beyond a vertical plane passing through the aXis of the hub (at which time the spring 29 will commence to force the hub in an anti-clockwise direction) the wing 27 will engage the front face ofthe crosshead 28, and on further movement the bolt will be retracted to the ordinary latching position. If the anti-clockwise movement of the hub is continued, the wing 27 will continue to retract the bolt until the head of the latter passes completely into the case, as shown in Fig. 3.

The night latch shown is invertible and therefore applicable to right and left hand lock the bolt in an effective manner.

doors. The hub performs its various functions equally well whether the wings 27 and 30 are directed upwardly as shown. in Fig. 2 or downwardly as shown in Fig. 5*.

The latch bolt is readily reversible to present the ordinary or the reverse bevel, and as the cross-heads 28 of both shanks 22 are identical in form, the hub cooperates equally well with either of the same. Hence it will be understood that the improved night latch is applicable to right and left hand doors whether of ordinary or. reverse bevel, yet the construction is of the greatest simplicity, especially when the large number of functions are considered. 1

It is evident that the invention is not limi ited to a rim lock or latch as distinguished from one of the mortise type. Moreover, it is not limited to use in connection with a latch bolt having a double shank, and the hub 25 or its equivalent may be varied in form and may be operated by means other than a knob. Many modifications in these and other respects may be adopted within the scope of the appended claims.

l Vhat I claim is:

1. In a rim night latch, the combination of a case, a latch bolt, a spring urging the latch bolt outward beyond the normal latch ing position, a member engaged by said bolt to hold the latter in the normal latching position in opposition to said spring, said member adapted to be moved for releasing the bolt so that it may be protracted by said spring, a knob, and means for moving said member out of blocking relation to said bolt as said knob is turned substantially as described.

2. In a lock, the combination of a latch bolt, a spring urging the same outward beyond. the usual latching position, a hub for retracting said bolt, and yielding stop means for said hub; substantially as described.

3. In a lock, the combination of a latch bolt, a spring urging the same outward beyond the usual latching position, a hub for retracting said bolt, and a spring acting on said hub and counteracting the action of said first spring to a certain extent so as to hold said bolt in latching position; substantially as described,

l. In a lock, the combination of a latch bolt, means normally projecting it beyond the usual latching position, retracting means for said latch bolt, and a yielding stop acting on said retracting means and normally holding said bolt in latching position in opposition to said first means; substantially as described.

5. In a lock, the combination of a latch bolt, means normally projecting said'bolt beyond the usual latching position, a retracting hub for said latch bolt having a lug, and a flat spring bearing against said lug and holding said bolt in the latching position in opposition to said first means; sub stantially as described. I

6. In a lock, the combination of a latch bolt, means tending to project it beyond the latching position, a retracting hub for said bolt having a substantially radial lug and a substantially tangential spring bearing on said lug and holding said bolt in latching position; substantially as described.

7. In a look, a latch bolt, and a hub for projecting said bolt beyond latching position or for dogging said bolt in retracted position; substantially as described.

In a look, a latch bolt, a rotary hub,

dogging said bolt in retracted position; substantially as described.

10. In a lock, the combination of a bolt, a spring urging it outward beyond latching position, a hub having a retracting wing for withdrawing said bolt from fully projected to latching position, and on continued movement, from latching position to fully retracted position, and means acting on said hub to normally hold the bolt in latching position; substantially as described. 7

11. In a lock, the combination of a latch bolt, and a device for giving the latch bolt a double throw or for dogging it in fully retracted position; substantially as described.

12. In a rim night latch, the combination of a latch bolt, a case, a spring urging the bolt outward beyond the normal latching position, a member engaged by the bolt to hold the latter in the latching position in opposition to said spring, said member adapted to swing into a position to release the bolt, means acting on said swinging member to hold the bolt in latching position, a knob, and means for moving said swinging member into bolt-releasing position as said knob is turned; substantially as described.

13. In a rim night latch, the combination of a latch bolt, a spring urging said bolt outward beyond the normal latching position, a knob, a hub connected with said knob having a wing abutting said bolt for retracting the same, a member for holding said latch bolt in the normal latching position in opposition to said spring, said member being movable out of its blocking position with respect to the bolt as said knob is turned in one direction to permit an abnormal protraction of the bolt by said spring, said bolt being retractable from abnormally protracted to latching position, and on continued movement, from latching position to the fully retracted position by said wing as said knob is turned in the opposite direction; substantially as described.

,14. In a look, a latch bolt, a hub, and means on said hub to retract said bolt, hold it in retracted position, move it outward from the usual latching position, and deadlock it in fully projected position; sub stantially as vdescribed.

15. In a lock, the combination of a latch bolt, an oscillatory arm or wing for giving said latch bolt a double throw, and for dogging it back in the case, and means for operating said arm or Wing from the exterior of the case; substantially as described,

16. In a lock, the combination of a latch bolt, a spring urging said bolt outward beyond the normal latching position, a re tracting member abutting said bolt, a movable member acting on said retracting memher to normally hold said bolt in the latch- .ing position, and means for moving said movable member out of its blocking position with respect to said retracting member to permit the latch bolt to assume an, abnormally protracted position; substantially as described. I

17. In a lock, the combination of a latch bolt, means to project the latch bolt beyond the normal latching position, a hub for deadlocking the latch bolt in fully projected position, and a spring bearing on said hub to prevent it from jarring loose; substantially as described. q

18. In a rim night latch, the combination of a bolt having a stem, a case, a guide plate in the case through which said stem is guided, a spring interposed between said guide plate and the head of the bolt and normally urging the bolt outward to an abnormally protracted position, and a single member for dogging said bolt in latching position in opposition to said spring, and for deadlocking said bolt in thefully pro.- tracted position; substantially as described.

19. In a look, a latch bolt having a shank, a head on said shank, a hub having a nose adapted to cooperate with opposite surfaces of said head to dog the latch bolt in retracted position or deadlock it in protracted position; substantially as described.

20. In a rim night latch, the combination of a case, a latch bolt therein having a stem, a guide piece in the casein which said'stem is guided, a spring interposed between said guide piece and the head of the bolt and urging said bolt into an abnormally protracted or double thrown position, a swinging member for holding the latch bolt in the normallatching position in opposition to said spring, and for deadlocking said bolt in the fully extended or double thrown position, and a knob for operating said.

' member; substantially as described.

21. In a lock, a latch bolt movable from the normal latching position to an abnormally protracted or double-thrown posi tion, a hub abutting said bolt and adapted to retract the same, a member acting on said hub to normally hold said bolt against protraction beyond the latching position, means for shifting said member out of its blocking position with respect to said hub, and means engageable with the bolt to give it a doublethrow automatically when said hub is re- Copies of this patent may be obtained for ,stantially as described.

pressed latch bolt adapted 'for abnormal protraction, a retracting hub engaging said bolt, a movable menrber cooperating with saidv hub to normally hold said bolt in latching position, and means for simultaneously shifting said movable member to release the hub and positively moving said latch bolt to an abnormally protracted position; sub- 23. In a look, a case, a latch bolt therein movable toan abnormally protracted position, a retracting hub engaging said bolt, a flat spring fixed in the case and arranged tangentially with respect to said hub to hold the latch bolt normally in latching position through said hub, and means for moving said spring out of its blocking position with respect to said hub to permit an abnormal protraction of the bolt; substantially as described.

at. In a Took, the combination of a latch bolt movable to an abnormally protracted position, and a hub having a retracting wing for withdrawing said bolt from abnormally protracted to latching position, and on continued movement from latching position to fully retracted position; substantially as described.

25. In a lock, the combination of a latch bolt movable to an abnormally protracted position, a hub having a retracting wing engaging said latch bolt, means to normally hold the bolt in latching position, and means for releasing said last-named means to free the bolt for abnormal protraction, and the retracting wingo'f said hub being adapted to withdraw the bolt from abnormally protracted to latching position, and on continued movement from latching position to fully retracted position; substantially as described.

26. In a look, a latch boltmovable to an abnormally protracted position, a retracting hub for said latch bolt, and a spring acting on said hub for locking the same in either of two positions, one of which corresponds to the abnormally protracted position of the bolt, and the other to the latching position thereof; substantial] as de scribed.

In witness: whereof, I have hereunto set my hand on the 2lth day of January, 1913.

V V HERBERT G. COLLINS. Witnesses: 7

Free L. BREWSTER, Tnnnsa Frrzsmroivs.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). G. 

